Z3R0's Budget Build

[Z3R0]

Ya I'm the IT guy as well so I get some cool stuff every once in a while. When I go back to work on Monday ill get you a step file. I don't have a license file for it at my house.

[Z3R0]

So just got done playing with these waterproof LED strips I got. You can splice them and add wires. 6 LEDs per section. Really bright though. Going to see if a marine dimmer will work. If not ill see if an inline resister will work.

[Z3R0]

Heres some images of what I put together for the lighting. I'm still trying to figure out a brightness level. I'm using a 9 volt battery for demonstration. Its pretty bright on 9v. I think a decent size resister will do the trick for 12v. I'm debating on where this resister will be located. I'm thinking it will be after the fuse so if I want to adjust the brightness level on these lights it will be via resister. Other lights might be on a potentiometer on a wall plate. I'm testing this some pictures of what I made. 9v is perfect for cabinet lights.



On via 9V

[Z3R0]

Got some Eaton Rocker Switches from a buddy of mine today, Figuring out how many switches and placement of the switches. I'm thinking that I should run THHN 14 gauge stranded wire for all the 12v lighting. 12 gauge wire for the 110v plugs (2 in galley, 2 in cabin, 1 for AC, and one outside for random items). 10 gauge wire for the 12v outlet plugs. Also, figure I'm going to have some SPDT switches in there so I'm trying to find some of those matching my switches I got. Think I have a pretty good handle on what I'm going to do with the electrical. I did some more rendering and added a couple features I'd like to have. Let me know what you guys think.

[txcamper]

I like the wind break / shade wall idea!

I think you'll be happy with the 6'x11' size chosen. We built a 5'x8' and its nice to have a full queen size bed but still a little short on storage for the over packing that we tend to do.

Enjoy the build, renderings look great!

To your question about wiring, there are a lot of details in this thread; http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=1941&start=90

I have some ok pictures in my build but the diagrams in that linked thread are the way to go.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Question for you guys!!! Go with a WFCO 8725 convertor or go with Guest 2611A Charge Pro Series Marine Battery Charger? There right around the same price range and if i went with the battery charger I would just plug it into a 110v outlet so if I plug into shorePower it will turn on automatically. But I will always be running from battery while charging as well, also I believe I need a voltage regulator. The converter allows for easy use. Plug and play. Let me know what you guys have done and what works the best. My system will be 4 12v sockets for chargers and lights all LED 12v.

I have a WFCO-8725... it works for AC & DC distribution, and has a 3-stage charger built in. If you plug into shore power, then you have AC & DC.... you don't even need a battery for that. And it come's on automatically if you leave the breakers flipped on. If you have a battery then the WFCO distributes the 12V through fused circuits when you arent plugged in to shore power. When you're plugged in, the WFCO maintains the battery with a float voltage.

[Z3R0]

Well the WFCO seems perfect for my application. Sounds like it makes it a much easier electrical system as well. Any reason to put GFI's on the 110V plugs? I think the exterior one should be but the camp sites I go to have GFI's at the shore power 110V. I dont know about the 30 amp service. Either way definately worth going with the WFCO, a lot less hassel. The auto float charge is great when storing it in the garage though.

On a side note, I think I have changed my side paneling idea from aluminum to FRP. I went to look at some aluminum sheet and its a little too expensive for my blood, and I'm really diggin the gray FRP siding. I'm also going to put FRP as my back splash and sides in my kitchen area to offset the wood a little. Let me know if any of you are opposed to this.

Also, been a little slow on this build. Life getting in the way, girlfriends B-day coming up, new kitchen faucet, drill battery crapped out. Hopefully can get a jump on this before Christmas.

[Z3R0]

Got something cool I've been waiting for from Ebay. Got an LED Strip Light Dimmer which uses a remote. My buddy has a remote light in his tent and I thought it was pretty cool when walking around the campsite at night (a little inebriated ) and uses the remote to find our campsite. Figured it was a nice feature for low cost so that will also be added. I really have to get off the lighting and electrical but I find that to be the fun part, as I like lights! Hopefully I'll get these U-bolt this week and have the front end painted completely. Just a couple more cans and then I will be buying some plate to weld on the trailer. This build is going much slower than I would like. Haven't even had a chance to bring out some of my toys! Well that is all time for some

[Junkboy999]

Nice looking design fo far.

I know you just in the design stage, but it seems to me your axle is too far forward.

I’m slowing teaching my self Catia. I have Catia on an older computer. I lent it to a friend when his bit the
dust. He installed it because he needed to work at home. When he got a new computer he just left it on my
system hehehehe. I use it just for making some RC aircraft ribs but it is really overkill for my taste. I’m using
Wings 3D for my hobby stuff.

PS you need to look at Zack’s (absolutsnwbrdr) camper for nice LED lighting. His secound build.

[Z3R0]

Well, I got some Red Strip LED's in the mail today. Look pretty cool. They work with the remote dimmer as well. I getting hit with project after project lately around the house. My buddy is getting the U-Bolts for me Monday and I'm getting desperate to finish the trailer aspect so I can get some sawdust flying! So many little things I didn't incorporate into my space that I need to make this go smoothly (Heater!). Well, thats all, I'm have everything lighting wise. Bought some wire connectors for the switches and some shrink tubing and I should be good for that! Going to get the WFCO for X-Mas I believe and hopefully a Makita drill as my Black and Decker is subpar for this project!

[Z3R0]

Well, holidays are starting. Got the trailer on the axle, gotta cut down the U-Bolts and paint some areas I couldnt get to. I think we are at a good part now and start to get some dust flying... A little useless from the excessive drinking last night so tomorrow is a new day. Till then see ya guys.

[Martiangod]

A little useless from the excessive drinking last night so tomorrow is a new day. Till then see ya guys.

Sometimes that can be the best start progress....Works for me some days...lol

[Z3R0]

Well finally got it all sprayed and ready. I was going to leave the side of the frame flat black but it definitely needs some gloss, it scuffs too easy. My old drill finally crapped out, guess i have a new x-mas wish. I played with some of the switches I got from a buddy and wanted to see how they look so I hooked them up and realized that the red indicator light wasn't exactly what I wanted so I flipped the switch over and it made more of a backlight effect. It looks good, those switches are of really good quality too. Also got a voltage indicator off ebay. Nice size for what I need it for. I gotta go get my table saw from my dads and get the garage ready to fly some saw dust. Coming together.

[Z3R0]

Well got my table saw back finally. How I missed it. Can't seem to find the router attachment anymore so ill have to make one I think. Built a sled for it as well. Now thinking of my weight distribution. I'm planning on having all my batteries and stuff on the tongue area with hopefully the spare tire under the tongue as well. Air conditioner is also in the front. Should be roughly 300 pounds. I don't think it's nearly enough to offset for the weight in the kitchen. I guess if worse comes to worse ill add a freshwater tank up front to add some more tongue weight. Ill see where my center of gravity is in CAD. Air conditioner weighs about the same as the refrigerator going in the back so I guess those cancel out. Ugh, idk.

[Z3R0]

Starting play with weight in Cad. Won't know for sure what the tongue weight will be till I do it but the tongue box should put the weight a little farther forward. The mattress is memory foam so thats a little weight toward the front. I'll make it work! I got my tail lights in, figured it would make my own brackets but when there 10 bucks on line I figured I'd just buy them. There pretty cool. LED seems to be an ongoing theme with my trailer. My buddy and I have figured to go with the 7-Pin plug from my truck to just a flat-4 connector. Really no need for anything else. It all wires the same so if I want to change it, its possible. Well it looks like the weeks are tight before X-mas so no more toys for me. Hoping I get my new Drill for X-mas! Pictures of more lights! Waiting on the side running lights. I went with clear 3/4" Grote Marker Lights for the sides. Should be here tomorrow or saturday!

"Wake up and Work on the Trailer". Shes my trailer Buddy!


New Brake Lights

Running Lights

Brake and Turn Signal

Brackets I Ordered


Minor Modifications to the frame, removed old light box's

Some JB Weld Bondo where a weld blew threw.